Any meeting better than no meeting: Cory Schneider

Canuck goalie Cory Schneider, a member of the NHLPA’s bargaining commitee, expressed hope Thursday that scheduled CBA talks with the league will gain some traction towards ending the almost two-week old lockout. The two parties are to meet Friday in New York to begin three days of discussion. “It’s better than no meetings at all so, hopefully, with the NFL getting the refs back and ending that lockout, let’s try to end another one,” Schneider said following a skate at UBC. “Meetings can go or not go well but I think the fact they’re going to be in the same room exchanging ideas is never bad. Hopefully both sides can make some headway. I think if we get some momentum or make some traction towards some common ground, that will make a difference in terms of guys’ mentality and just the hope for not losing another season of hockey.” Schneider said he was not planning to fly to New York to personally attend the talks. Manny Malhotra, the Canucks’ other rep on the players’ bargaining committee, also said he would not be travelling to New York. “We haven’t had a conference call for a couple of weeks so maybe I’ll wait until we get updated a little more and we see how serious things go,” said Schneider. “Maybe talking about non-economic issues will get us speaking the same language on other things. You never know? Maybe if someone gives something on a non-economic issue, then the other side will be willing to give something back.” Added Canuck blueliner Dan Hamhuis: “Talking is better than silence. We all want to play.”